Why are Beauty and The Beast VHS tapes selling for $500?

I just found a VHS copy of Beauty and the Beast and my coworker told me that they are selling for $500 on ebay. I looked it up and yes- there are several listings for used VHS tapes in the $300-$500 range.

Ok, so here's what's up with that. On the spines of some VHS (and BetaMax) tapes is a black diamond with Walt's signature on it. This was Disney's first attempt to market their videos to homes.

Because of this, certain Disney collectors are convinced that these VHS tapes are worth something.

Personally I think this is just a nostalgia fueled fad that will leave a lot of people with buyer's remorse.

spud_monkey

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Aug 6, 2015, 2:16 PM

the copy I have has the black diamond but it says "The Classics" not Walt's signature. Was this a re-release?

Reddit_Executive

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Aug 6, 2015, 2:35 PM

Probably. I'm not 100% knowledgeable on the specifics. I just read a few things on what VHS's would be worth something because I'm gonna check my old collection at my parent's this weekend. And they article said it was a black diamond with Walt's signature.

-PM_ME_YOUR_GENITALS

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Aug 6, 2015, 8:24 PM

Mine is the same way. What a shitload of fuck! That stupid little black triangle is the only thing stopping my $2 VHS from selling for $500.

disgustipated

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Aug 6, 2015, 9:38 AM

They aren't selling for $500 - they are listed for $500.

Search "black diamond Beauty and the Beast" then click the "Sold Listings" button on the left under Show Only.

They are selling for between $5 and $50.

TheGreenShepherd

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Aug 6, 2015, 11:58 AM

Speaking of Beauty and the Beast, I recently re-watched this with my daughter and was flabbergasted by a scene I don't remember being in the original. It was the god-awful song where all the servants are singing about becoming human again. I mean, I can see why it got cut, but it was very jarring to see it there. Does anyone know what the story is on this?

stolen_art

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Aug 6, 2015, 9:17 AM

There's always a big difference between what people are asking for on eBay and what people are willing to pay. I'd guess that people are chancing it, because Disney are pretty good at marketing and only release certain films at certain points to encourage people to purchase when they can. Best thing to do is watch the expensive listings and see if any of them actually sell for anything, but I wouldn't get your hopes up I'm afraid. The same thing happens with comics a lot

TopHatTogepi

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Aug 6, 2015, 9:16 AM

I don't really know but from what it looks like people see the title "rare black diamond" and think that makes it worth more so the go onto eBay and see other people setting there "rare black diamond" VHS at 300-500 so they set there's thinking it will sell at that price